Blackhawks 4 - 3 Blue Jackets
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Blackhawks continue postseason push against Blue Jackets

Apr 1, 2011 - 3:01 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks will continue their postseason push when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets in tonight's Central Division battle at Nationwide Arena.

With 90 points, the Blackhawks are currently holding onto the West's eighth seed, but the defending Stanley Cup champions are just three points ahead of Dallas and Calgary for the conference's final playoff berth.

Like Chicago, Dallas has six games left in the regular season, but the Stars are off this evening. The Flames, meanwhile, have just four games remaining and are playing tonight in St. Louis.

The Blackhawks did not help their playoff chances on Tuesday, when they were shut out in Boston to lose for the second time three games. Tim Thomas made 32 stops for Boston in the impressive 3-0 victory at TD Garden.

Corey Crawford stopped 31 shots for the Blackhawks, who suffered just their fourth regulation loss in 18 games (12-4-2).

"We had some chances to go ahead tonight," said Crawford. "It's probably not our best game but I still think we had our opportunities."

All told, Chicago has scored just four goals over its last three games. The Blackhawks will try to get back on track offensively tonight versus a team it has averaged over four goals a game against this season.

Chicago has taken three of five meetings against the Blue Jackets this year and has outscored Columbus by a combined 21-14 margin in those games. The Blackhawks have also won seven of 11 encounters in this series overall and have claimed two straight and five of their last six games in Columbus.

The Blue Jackets have already been eliminated from the postseason race, and Columbus enters tonight having dropped five of its last six games (1-3-2).

They were dealt an overtime loss last night in Washington as former Blue Jackets forward Jason Chimera scored the game-winner for the Caps. Chimera was in the right place at the right time to net an opportunistic goal midway through overtime, lifting the Capitals to the 4-3 victory at Verizon Center.

Steve Mason stopped 29 shots for the Blue Jackets, while Scottie Upshall, Antoine Vermette and Fedor Tyutin lit the lamp in the loss.

"It's a building block, but we can't be satisfied," Mason said of the tough loss.

Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash missed Thursday's game with an undisclosed injury and is questionable for tonight. Nash is leading Columbus in both goals (32) and assists (34) this season.

Defenseman Grant Clitsome (knee) and forward Ethan Moreau (bruised foot) are also questionable for tonight's tilt.

The Blue Jackets are 17-17-4 as the host this year, while Chicago has an 18-12-8 mark away from the Windy City.






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